MD Educational Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £400,000+ (2023/24 income: £400,468)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Multi-stage process over several months
• Grant Range: Full salary funding for Wellbeing Lead (approximately £30,000-£40,000 per year)
• Grant Period: 3-year commitment per school
• Geographic Focus: UK and Ireland
• Application Status: Applications may close when capacity is reached due to high demand

Contact Details

Address: Dykes Henfield Common North, Henfield, West Sussex BN5 9RL

Website: www.mdeducationalfoundation.org

Email: info@mdeducationalfoundation.org

Phone: +44 (0) 7773 334 104

Director of Schools & Partnerships: Deirdre Doherty (leads application and onboarding process)

Overview

MD Educational Foundation (Charity No. 1169208) was founded by Miriam Dervan, Executive Chair of mdgroup, and Tarquin Scadding-Hunt, CEO of mdgroup, after they identified a significant gap in wellbeing provision for students aged 16-18. Registered in England and Wales, the foundation reported an income of £400,468 and expenditure of £469,199 for the year ending March 31, 2024. The foundation's mission is to normalise student psychological fitness and resilience through guidance and early intervention. They provide a three-year salary-funded commitment to place dedicated Wellbeing Leads within post-16 educational settings across the UK and Ireland. The foundation has expanded from a successful pilot school to multiple schools across England, Northern Ireland, and Ireland, with a particularly high-profile launch at Mount St Michael Secondary School in Claremorris, Ireland in October 2023. Mount St Michael holds special significance for the foundation, as Co-Founder Miriam Dervan is a former student there.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Wellbeing Lead Placement Programme: Full three-year salary funding for a dedicated, full-time (term-time) wellbeing professional to work with post-16 students (ages 16-18)

• Application Method: Expression of Interest form (when applications are open), followed by multi-stage assessment
• Funding Value: Full salary for qualified wellbeing professional for three years (estimated £30,000-£40,000+ per year, varies by region)
• Additional Support: Clinical supervision, Wellbeing Lead network, internal resource hub, professional development opportunities
• Deliverables: Creation of a Wellbeing Hub within the school, delivery of bespoke wellbeing curriculum, annual progress reports, agreed KPIs

Priority Areas

• Post-16 educational settings (sixth forms, colleges, secondary schools with sixth forms) in UK and Ireland
• Schools committed to prioritising student wellbeing and developing long-term wellbeing strategies
• Settings with space available (or willing to create space) for a dedicated Wellbeing Hub
• Schools supporting students aged 16-18 facing mental health challenges

Context: The foundation responds to urgent need - rates of probable mental disorders in 17-19-year-olds rose from 1 in 10 in 2017 to 1 in 4 in 2022, with 50% of UK teachers not feeling confident helping pupils with mental health issues.

What They Don't Fund

• Settings outside post-16 education (no primary schools, no junior secondary)
• Individual student bursaries or scholarships
• Capital projects or building works (though they support creation of Wellbeing Hubs)
• Students outside the 16-18 age range
• One-off projects or short-term initiatives (minimum 3-year commitment required)

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees: 2 trustees oversee the charity (no trustees receive remuneration)

Key Personnel:

• Miriam Dervan - Co-Founder & Executive Chair: Founded the charity after personally experiencing anxiety during her school years. She is also Founder and Executive Chair of mdgroup. She stated: “We wanted to provide funding to schools that directly impacts young people.” She is an alumna of Mount St Michael Secondary School in Claremorris, Ireland.

• Tarquin Scadding-Hunt - Co-Founder: CEO of mdgroup, co-founded the foundation with Miriam Dervan after recognising growing challenges within the education sector, particularly the lack of mental health and wellbeing support for students aged 16-18.

• Deirdre Doherty - Director of Schools & Partnerships: Leads the Schools Application and Onboarding Team, responsible for growing meaningful school collaborations across UK and Ireland. She emphasises: “We are all about prioritising student wellbeing.”

• Coleen McLaughlin - Senior Administrative Officer: Provides administrative support and facilitates foundation events.

Employees: 1 employee earning between £60,000-£70,000 (year ending March 2024)

How to Apply to Md Educational Foundation

How to Apply

Current Status: Applications may close periodically when the foundation reaches capacity due to high demand. Schools should monitor the foundation's website and social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, LinkedIn) for announcements about application rounds.

Standard Application Process (when open):

1. Expression of Interest Form: Schools complete a brief initial form expressing interest in the programme
2. Initial Meeting: Foundation team conducts introduction call with Headteacher/Principal to discuss school's wellbeing challenges and initiatives, and to align on vision and values
3. Full Application Form: Selected schools receive and complete a comprehensive application form
4. Application Review: Foundation team reviews submitted applications
5. Site Visit: In-person school visit to discuss support needs and assess suitability
6. Trustees' Approval: Final decision made by foundation trustees

Pre-Application Considerations:

• School must be committed to student wellbeing as a priority
• Availability of (or willingness to create) dedicated space for a Wellbeing Hub
• Full-time, 3-year commitment required
• School must be post-16 educational setting in UK or Ireland

Decision Timeline

The application process spans several months from Expression of Interest to final trustee approval. Specific timelines are not publicly disclosed, but the multi-stage nature (EOI → Introduction Call → Full Application → Review → Site Visit → Trustee Decision) suggests a thorough 3-6 month process minimum.

Schools should plan ahead and not expect immediate turnaround given the rigorous selection process.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the foundation periodically closes applications due to high demand and limited capacity, indicating competition. The foundation significantly increased the number of schools funded after a successful pilot, but specific numbers of applications received versus awards made are not published.

Known Funded Schools:

• Mount St Michael Secondary School (Claremorris, Ireland) - inaugural Irish placement, October 2023
• St Cecilia's College (Derry, Northern Ireland)
• St Patrick's & Brigid's College (Claudy)
• St Mary's College (Derry)
• Pilot school (location not disclosed)
• Additional schools across UK and Ireland (specific numbers not disclosed)

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is published. Schools unsuccessful in one round would likely need to contact the foundation directly to understand if and when they can reapply.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated approach and priorities, schools should focus on:

1. Demonstrated Commitment to Student Wellbeing

The foundation looks for schools genuinely prioritising student wellbeing, not just seeking funding. As Deirdre Doherty emphasises: “We are all about prioritising student wellbeing.” Schools should demonstrate existing wellbeing initiatives and a strategic vision for how a Wellbeing Lead would enhance provision.

2. Long-Term Strategy Alignment

The foundation aims to help schools “kickstart their long-term wellbeing strategies” - indicating they want to see how the three-year funded placement fits into a sustainable, long-term plan. Schools should articulate what happens after the three years of funding.

3. Readiness and Infrastructure

Schools need to provide (or commit to creating) a dedicated Wellbeing Hub space. The foundation looks for schools ready to implement the programme effectively, with senior leadership buy-in and appropriate facilities.

4. Values Alignment

The initial meeting focuses on aligning vision and values. Schools should familiarise themselves with the foundation's approach: normalising psychological fitness, early intervention, student-centred support, and creating safe, non-judgmental spaces.

5. Focus on the Target Age Group

The foundation specifically identified a “sheer gap in support for students aged 16-18.” Applications should clearly articulate the mental health and wellbeing needs of post-16 students specifically, not general school population needs.

6. Evidence of Need

Given the context (1 in 4 young people aged 17-19 have probable mental health disorders; 22% of students needing help don't seek it), schools should provide evidence of unmet wellbeing needs among their 16-18 year old students.

7. Collaborative Approach

The foundation works collaboratively with schools throughout - from recruitment of the Wellbeing Lead to designing the Hub. Schools should demonstrate willingness to work in partnership, not just receive funding.

Recent Funded Examples:

• Mount St Michael Secondary School's launch in October 2023 included over 200 senior cycle students, keynote speaker Minister Dara Calleary, a “Wellbeing Couch Session” with industry experts, and received a letter of support from Sabina Higgins (Wife of the President of Ireland and school alumna)
• Schools in Northern Ireland (Derry area) showing regional spread beyond initial England focus

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Timing is Critical: Applications may close periodically when the foundation reaches capacity due to high demand. Monitor their website and social media closely for application announcements - competition is fierce.

• This is a Partnership, Not Just a Grant: The foundation provides three years of salary funding PLUS clinical supervision, network access, resources, and professional development. Demonstrate readiness to collaborate, not just receive funding.

• Long-Term Vision Required: Show how the three-year funded placement kickstarts a sustainable, long-term wellbeing strategy. They want to see commitment beyond the funded period.

• Align with Their Specific Mission: Focus on 16-18 year olds specifically, psychological fitness and resilience, early intervention, and normalising mental health support. Use their language in applications.

• Infrastructure Matters: Commitment to creating a dedicated Wellbeing Hub space is essential. Don't apply if you can't provide or create appropriate space.

• Demonstrate Regional Need: The foundation successfully launched in Ireland and Northern Ireland after starting in England. Schools in underserved regions may have strategic advantage.

• Senior Leadership Engagement Essential: The introduction call is with the Headteacher/Principal, not a middle manager. This funding requires whole-school senior leadership commitment from the start.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Screwfix Foundation
• Westhill Endowment
• Beyond Shame, Beyond Stigma
• The Galen And Hilary Weston Foundation
• The Prudence Trust
• The Cadbury Foundation
• The Lord Leonard And Lady Estelle Wolfson Foundation
• Wellbeing Of Women
• Mr Willats' Charity
• The Reta Lila Howard Foundation

References

1. MD Educational Foundation Official Website - https://mdeducationalfoundation.org/
2. Charity Commission Register of Charities - MD Educational Foundation (1169208) - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5087338
3. “Our Approach” - MD Educational Foundation - https://mdeducationalfoundation.org/our-approach/
4. “FAQs” - MD Educational Foundation - https://mdeducationalfoundation.org/faqs/
5. “Meet the Team” - MD Educational Foundation - https://mdeducationalfoundation.org/meet-the-team/
6. “Enabling schools to kickstart their long-term wellbeing strategy” - MD Educational Foundation - https://mdeducationalfoundation.org/2024/06/enabling-schools-to-kickstart-their-long-term-wellbeing-strategy-meet-mdeducational-foundation-director-of-schools-and-partnerships-deirdre-doherty/
7. “mdeducational foundation launches in Ireland” - MD Educational Foundation - https://mdeducationalfoundation.org/2024/03/mdeducational-foundation-launches-in-ireland/
8. “Wellbeing Leads” - MD Educational Foundation - https://mdeducationalfoundation.org/wellbeing-leads/
9. “mdeducational foundation” - mdgroup - https://mdgroup.com/how-we-give-back/mdeducational-foundation/
10. “Irish launch of mdeducational foundation at Mayo school” - Connaught Telegraph - https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2023/10/27/irish-launch-of-mdeducational-foundation-at-mayo-school/
11. “Our Founders” - MD Educational Foundation - https://mdeducationalfoundation.org/our-founders/
12. “Contact” - MD Educational Foundation - https://mdeducationalfoundation.org/contact/